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Private Diagnosis - Worth The Money?

Sgt Romeo

So, I had my assessment today.  I was seen by a clinical psychologist at my local PCT's Mental Health team.

He said essentially I am toi high functioning to warrant referral to an autism specialist & that the only way I will get an official diagnosis is to go private.  I have had quotes from several psyxhologists in my area, ranging from £1,000 to £3,000.

Can anybody explain to me why there is such a disparity in fees?  Is the cheap one cheap because the psychologist is not officially recognised as being a specialist in autism?  Is the expensive one expensive because it is affiliated to the National Autistic Society?  Is it worth paying more money for a better diagnostic package ie including suggestions of reasonable adjustments that can be made at work.

Finally, has anybody been diagnosed by the Lorna Wing Centre in Bromley, Kent?  Was it worth it?

Thank you

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    There are a couple of different issues going on here. if you don't have a significant enough problem that needs intervention then you may not warrant a diagnosis. This is in line with lots of other conditions where, generally, doctors won't diagnose a condition unless something needs to be done. In this case, the high functioning label may have been used to indicate that he/she just didn't think you really had a big enough problem. If you go for a private diagnosis you won't necessarily get a diagnosis - they may say the same as the people you have already seen. You can always ask for a second opinion - there is a proper procedure for doing that, ask if you want some pointers.

    I had a private diagnosis from a specialist following a referral from my GP. It cost £1000 (Priory clinic, specialist psychiatrist) and that has been fully respected by employers, occupational health, NHS etc.  If you go and find your own specialist independently then it may not be as respected. Having my GP make the referral did make this more straightforward and the results are properly in my NHS records as a result. The Lorna Wing centre may be able to charge a high fee because it is so respected and there are enough people with deep enough pockets (I don't know anything about the LW centre but Lorna Wing's name is renowned and can be googled etc to get more background).

    I've no idea about whether we are more or less affected than each other - it seems harsh that there is such a sharp dividing line between having, or not having, a diagnosis when it is all a bit vague about how you define how badly affected one is.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    There are a couple of different issues going on here. if you don't have a significant enough problem that needs intervention then you may not warrant a diagnosis. This is in line with lots of other conditions where, generally, doctors won't diagnose a condition unless something needs to be done. In this case, the high functioning label may have been used to indicate that he/she just didn't think you really had a big enough problem. If you go for a private diagnosis you won't necessarily get a diagnosis - they may say the same as the people you have already seen. You can always ask for a second opinion - there is a proper procedure for doing that, ask if you want some pointers.

    I had a private diagnosis from a specialist following a referral from my GP. It cost £1000 (Priory clinic, specialist psychiatrist) and that has been fully respected by employers, occupational health, NHS etc.  If you go and find your own specialist independently then it may not be as respected. Having my GP make the referral did make this more straightforward and the results are properly in my NHS records as a result. The Lorna Wing centre may be able to charge a high fee because it is so respected and there are enough people with deep enough pockets (I don't know anything about the LW centre but Lorna Wing's name is renowned and can be googled etc to get more background).

    I've no idea about whether we are more or less affected than each other - it seems harsh that there is such a sharp dividing line between having, or not having, a diagnosis when it is all a bit vague about how you define how badly affected one is.

Children
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